Meat slicing machine



Nov. 5, 194-6. G, R, WO D 2,410,698

MEAT SLIC ING MACHINE Filed April 12, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. GEORGE R. WOOD Nov. 5, 1946.

G. R. WOOD MEAT SLICING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 12 1945 FIG. YT.

FIG. III

INVENTOR. GEORGE R. wooo ATTORNEY Filed April 1'2; 194:5 6 Sheets-Sheet s IN V EN TOR. GEORGE R. WOOD Nov.5, 1946. G, R, W OD" 2,410,698

MEAT SLI C ING MACHINE Filed April 12, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. GEORGE R. WOOD ATTORNEY .NWQ G. R. woon I ZAWEQ MEAT SLICING MACHINE Filed April 12, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 m FIG. m

INVENTOR. GEORGE R. WOOD FIG.

NW. 5, 1946. G. R. WOOD 2,410,69

MEAT SLICING MACHINE Filed April 12, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 [02 mo [ago 4 l0 F FIG.

a! MA 62 FIG. 201m ,90

7a L W A INVENTOR.

Etc] K463 GEORGE R. WOOD 9 97 FIG. m I

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 5, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT MEAT SLICING MACHINE George It. Wood, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as-

signor to Toledo Scale Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application April 12, 1943, Serial No. 482,770

4 Claims. (Cl. 146102) This invention relates to food handling apparatus, particularly slicing machines, of the type in which a commodity to be sliced is carried in an inclined commodity-supporting member which reciprocates past the cutting edge of a circular rotary knife, the commodity being fed downwardly by gravity into engagement with the face of a gauge plate which is substantially parallel to the plane of the knife edge and is adjustable in a direction generally perpendicular thereto, to vary the thickness of the slice severed during each stroke.

The commodity-supporting member of a slicing machine, usually called the commodity tray, comprises a trough-like member which is mounted on the base of the slicing machine and is adapted to move back and forth to carry the unsliced piece of commodity past the exposed cutting edge of the knife. A commodity tray usually is permanently disposed with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the plane of the rotary knife,- causing the commodity to be severed in a series of planes perpendicular to its aXis. Such cuts perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the commodity are satisfactory if the commodity has a large cross-sectional area, as in the case of large Bologna, bacon and boiled ham. However, many commodities, such as ring Bologna, sausage, Thuringer and others, have a small diameter, and are preferably sliced on an angle to provide slices of larger size. Such commodities are both difficult and dangerous to slice on an angle with the conventional slicing machine and hence are usually sliced by hand.

The principal object of the invention is to prcvide a simply operated and compact device in which a commodity may be sliced either perpendicular to or at an angle to its axis. More specific objects and advantages are apparent from the description, in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. I is a view in elevation of a slicing machine of the gravity feed type, having a commodity tray embodying the invention.

Fig. II is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken from the left side of Fig. I.

Fig. III is a further enlarged fragmentary view of the commodity tray, certain parts being broken away, taken substantially on the line III-III of Fig. II.

Fig. IV is a fragmentary view, taken substantially on the line IV-IV of Fig. III.

Fig. V is a detailed sectional view showing the commodity tray locking means taken substantially on the line VV of Fig. I

Fig. VI is a detailed cross sectional view taken substantially on the line VIVI of Fig. IV.

Fig. VII is a fragmentary View, with parts broken away, taken substantially on the line VII-VII of Fi V.

Fig, VIII is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. II of a modified form of commodity tray embodying the invention.

Fig. IX is a fragmentary plan view taken on the line IX-IX of Fig. VIII.

Fig. X is a fragmentary view in elevation of a hand guard taken on the line XX of Fig. IX.

Fig. XI is a fragmentary front view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the hinging and locking means employed in the modified form of commodity tray illustrated in Fig, VIII,

Fig. XII is a fragmentary view taken substantially on the line XII-XII of Fig. XI.

Fig. XIII is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the commodity tray in a. horizontal position.

Fig. XIV is a plan view taken substantially on the line XIV-XIV of Fig. XIII.

Fig. XV is a view in elevation, similar to Fig. I, of still another modification of the commodity tray embodying the invention.

Fig. XVI is an enlarged fragmentary View, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. XV, taken substantially from the position indicated by the line XVIXVI of Fig. XV.

Fig. XVII is an enlarged detailed fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line XVIIXVII of Fig. XVI.

Fig, XVIII is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the commodity tray in horizontal position, taken substantially on the line XVIII-XVIII of Fig. XV.

Fig. XIX is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line XIXXIX of Fig. XVIII.

Fig. XX is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line XX-XX of Fig. XVIII.

Fig. XXI is a view in perspective of a locking member employed in the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figs. XV to XXIV.

Fig. XXII is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line XXII-XXII of Fig. XVIII.

Fig. XXIII is a view similar to Fig. XVIII, but showing the commodity tray in an inclined position.

Fig. XIHV is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line XXIV-XXIV of Fig. XXIII.

These specific drawings and the specific description that follows merely illustrate and disclose the invention and are not intended to impose limitations upon the claims.

The slicing machine shown in Figs. I to VII comprises a base ill upon which are erected driving and journaling means (not shown) for a cir- 3 cular rotary knife I l, which is guarded by means of a knifeguard-l2 and a gaugepIate-IS also mounted onthe base." The rotary knife, knife guard and gauge plate in a splicing machine of the gravity feed type are usually disposed at an angle of substantially 45 to the vertical. The face of the gauge plate !3 is parallel to the plane of the edge of the rotary knife H, and the edge of the gauge plate is closely adjacent the exposededge of the knife. By means of an adjusting knob l4 located on the front of the base 16, the gauge plate i3 is adjustable to regulate the thickness of the slices severed from the commodity.

A carriage I5 is reciprocally mounted on the base it! to carry a commodity tray hi past the exposed edge of the rotary knife ii. The com-' modity tray it serves to support the unsliced commodity and comprises a trough-shaped structure, having two converging side members H and i3 positioned perpendicular to the plane of the knife edge, and intersecting each other substantially at right angles. An upwardly directed extension of the member ll serves as a'hand guard ii to protect the operators hand from the knife. The lowerend of the commodity tray is located closely adjacent the plane of the knife edge to provide maximum support for the commodity along the cutting plane.

The commodity tray 56 is attached by means of concealed fastenings '(not shown) to a V- shaped bracketze, having a. handle 2! by'which the commodity tray is 'manually reciprocated:

Milled into the under side of the rearwardly extending portion of the bracket 28 is an arcuate dovetail slot 22 which engages a cooperating dovetail tongue 23 milledontoan obliquely directed' 'a'rcuate arm 2 integral with the carriage H5. The cooperating dovetails 22 and 23 lie in a plane that is perpendicular to the cutting plane of the machine and is perpendicular to the plane of the side member I! of the tray 15, their center of arcuate curvature being located'substantially on the intersection of the cutting plane of the machine andtne plane of the side member ii. By'means of this construction the inclined cornmodity tray it may be rotated to a horizontal position as shown by the dashed lines l5 (see Figsil and II), or to any intermediate position, the elevatedend'of the tray swinging downward and forward, about an axis substantiallycoincident with the intersection of thecutting plane of the machine and the plane of the side member ii; the edge of the side memberil adjacent the cutting plane of the machine remaining in close proximity thereto and providing the necessary Suppo t for the commodity. As the commodity tray iii swivels toward a horizontal position, an angular gap results between the cutting plane of the 'machineand the adjacent edge of the side member is of the tray l5. To support the commodity properly at this gap, there is provided beneath theJside member 8 a segmental plate 25 detachably secured, so as to be removable for cleaning, by mean'sof a knurled screw 26 and a locating pin ill which pass through a suitably formed ear 28min the plate 25, the screw tt being threaded into the arm 24 of the carriage 15. One edge of the plate 25 is located adjacent the "cutting plane of the device; and being attached to the 'arm'24, remains in a fixed position, provid ing ample support iorthecommoditywhen the tray it is moved into an intermediate or horizontal position;

A clamping means is'provided to lock thecommodi'ty tray in any desired" position; comprising ing 52 in the wall of the carriage 15a, thus being. accessible for manipulation. By downward pressure on the release knob 51, the locking rod Ills is withdrawn from the notch 46 in'the hub 4!, and permits the commodity tray lBa to be rotated 0f the knife.

4 a knurled thumb nut 29 threaded onto a stud 30, the opposite end or which terminates in a trapezoidal locking wedge 31 which cooperates with the dovetail slot 22. The locking wedge 3! is recessed in a groove 32 milled transversely across the dovetail tongue 23, the stud 363 extending through a boss on the arm 24. Tightening the nut 22 forces the locking wedge 3! into clamping engagement. with the converging walls of the dovetail slot 22. A pin 33, fixed, in the bracket 28 and projecting into the slot 22, serves as a stop contacting the-end of the dovetail tongue 23 when the commodity tray is rotated into a position perpendicular to the edge of the knife 15. Movement of the tray beyond this point might force the edge of the side member i8 into the plane of the knife edge and thus lead to damaging'oi the knife.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. VIII to XIV comprises a base lila upon which is mounted a circular rotary knife Ho, similarly inclined from the vertical. A carriage His is reciprocally mounted on thebase lila to carry a commodity tray 15a, having intersecting side members Ho and We normally perpendicular to the plane of the knife edge.

23a universally mounted atop a post 35 extending upwardly from the reciprocablecarriage id,

to which is attached a handle Zia. A depending 35 is provided with a shoulder 38 which is seated in a counterbore 39 in the post 34, and is retained in place by means of nuts 4% threaded onto its lower The lower end of the arm 35 that engages the bifurcation in the pin 36 has a semi-v circular hub portion H, through a bore in the center of which extends the pintle 3?. Adjacent the hub ll on either side are lugs 42 and 43, the lug i2 being adapted to engage a slot i milled radially through one side of the annular upperend of the post 3 The shape and location of this slot is such that when the lug G2 is in engagement therewith, and the under side of the lug contacts the bottom 45 of the slot, the longitudinal axi of the commodity tray Hia, .is perpendicular to the plane of the edge of the knife Ha.

A notch d5 milled transversely in the periphery or" the hub All is adapted to be engaged by the upper end of a locking rod 47 to lock the com-.

modity tray in position perpendicular to the edge The locking rod M is located in a bore extending through the center of the pin 36, and is urged into locking engagement-by means of a. compression spring G8, located in a. counterbore in the pin, which exerts an upward force against an annular collar d9 integrally formed on the rod ll. Attached by means of a set screw 53 to the lower end of the locking rod 41 is a release knob 5!, which projects through a slotted openabout the horizontal axis of the pintle 3!- to a horizontal position, in which the under side of the lug t3 engages the surfaced annular upper end of the post 34, checkingthepivoting of the tray about the pintle 31.

The commodity tray lfiaris then sufficiently clear of the gauge plate and knife lid to allow it The commodity tray i6a is fastened to a V-shaped bracket to be rotated horizontally in a counter-clockwise direction about the axis of the pin 36 (see Fig. IX), while the under sides of the lugs 42 and 43 slidingly engage the upper annular surface of the post 34 and maintain the horizontal condition of the tray. The tray is rotated horizontally until the lug 43 engages a stop 53 projecting upwardly from the annular end of the post 34. In this position the lug is in alignment with another slot 5 milled radially through the annular end of the post 36. The location of the slot =54 is such that, when the tray is again rotated about the horizontal pintle 3! so that the lug l3 enters the slot 54, the opposite end of the commodity tray Hia is adjacent the cutting plane of the machine, its axis being disposed angularly thereto, as shown by the dashed lines Mint in Figs. VIII and IX. The under side of the lug 43 contacts the bottom 55 of the slot 54 to limit the inclination of the tray so that the end of the tray is properly positioned adjacent the cutting plane of the knife lid. The end 55 of the tray lSa that is positioned adjacent the cutting plane of the device for angularly slicing a commodity is so designed as to be parallel and closely adjacent the cutting plane to support the commodity properly. (See Figs. VIII and IX.) A hand guard 88a is provided when the tray 5541 is positioned for slicing in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tray, and when the tray is positioned as shown by dashed lines We in Figs. VIII and IX to produce angular slices, a hand guard ii! is provided. The longitudinal axis of the tray Ida i offset from the pivotal axis of the pin 35, as may be seen in Figs. IX and XIII, insuring that the apex of the trough in either of the two positions of-the tray intersects the cutting plane of the machine at substantially the same point, as shown at A Fig. IX.

As shown in Figure IX, the side member lid of the tray Ida extends to the right beyond the side member !8a. When the tray is in the reversed position, shown in dotted lines, this extension of the side member Ha forms a continuation of such side member substantially to the plane of the knife edge, so as to furnish proper support for the commodity.

A further embodiment of the invention, shown in Figs. XV to XXIV, comprises a base lllb upon which are mounted a similar circular rotary knife lib, knife guard 12'!) and gauge plate 53?). A carriage i512, manually reciprocable on the base lilo by means of a handle 2 lb, is adapted to carry a commodity tray 5612 back and forth past the exposed cutting edge of the knife Mb.

The commodity tray 46b, having two integral side members lib and i232) intersecting substantially at right angles, has its longitudinal axis normally perpendicular to the plane of the edge of the rotary knife, as shown by the dashed lines I61) in Fig. XVI. Two plates 53 and 55! are hinged, by means of spring-actuated hinges it and iii, to the side members Ill) and lab respectively at their ends adjacent the rotary knife i lb. The spring-actuated hinges Eli and 55 tend to keep the plates 58 and 5S folded back against the side members of the tray. The plate 53 ex tends upwardly to provide a guard for the operators hand. Pivotally mounted on a pintle 62. journaled in a bifurcated horizontally disposed arm 63 ofthe carriage I51), is a V-shaped bracket 2% to which is fastened the commodity tray lfih.

Assuming that the commodity tray Nib is in its normal position, perpendicular to the plane of the knife edge, as shown by dashed lines in Fig. XVI, in which position it produces cuts perpendicular to the axis of the commodity, the operator desiring to slice a commodity on an angle first pulls outwardly on a handle B 3, fixed to the end of a rod 65 projecting from the bracket 2%, to the other end of which is fastened a slide 66. The slide 66 has, milledinto its upper surface, a longitudinally extending V-groove El adapted to slide along the bottom of the commodity tray, and also is guided by ways 66 provided in the bracket 29b. Into a short rabbet 59, machined along one corner of the slide 66, extends the short upper arm 10 of a supporting lever H. The lever H is fulcrumed on a tenon screw 72 threaded into one of a pair of depending cars 13 which are positioned one on either side of a slot M in the bracket Ziib through which the arm 1!] extends. The lever H is urged in a counter-clockwise direction (see Fig. XXIII) by a helical spring 25. The long arm of the lever ll extends downwardly through a slot '56 into the interior of the carriage 15b, and has threaded to its lower end a shouldered screw Ti, the shouldered portion of which is slidingly guided in a slot 18 cut into an angle guide bracket 19 adjustably fastened within the carriage 152) by means of screws 80.

Pulling outwardly on the handle fi l moves the end wall of the rabbet 89 into contact with the end of the short lever arm l6, and thus rotates the supporting lever H clockwise against the bias of the spring 15 to disengage the shouldered portion of the screw H from a horizontally directed offset 98 at the upper end of the slot l8. This allows the commodity tray It?) to be lowered into its horizontal position, with the .underside of the bracket 28b engaging an adjustable stop screw suitably positioned in the arm 53 of the carriage l5b.

The end of the tray 1% formerly adjacent the cutting plane of the machine has then moved away from such plane, and adequate support for the commodity is provided in the following manner: The handle 54 is moved in the opposite direction, i. e. toward the bracket 20?), moving the slide 66 to the left. The end of the slide 65 cppo site the handle 86 is adapted to over-ride a cam surface 92 machined on one arm of a locking member 93. This locking member 93 comprises, not only the arm having the cam surface 92, but also a cross arm fi l perpendicular thereto, both radiating from a cylindrical body 95. The locking member is recessed into the hub of the bracket 28?), and the cylindrical body 95 is positioned in a bore 95 of sufficient depth to receive a com pression spring 9?, interposed between the looking member and the bottom of the bore, to urge the locking member 93 upwardly. The bore 95 extends through the pintle 62, which is keyed to the bracket 23b by means of a set screw 98 and rotates therewith. Under the bias of the spring 97 the locking member 93 is urged into engagement with the lower edges of the plates 58 and 59, holding them in folded position against the tray Iiib.

As the slide 6% is moved to the left it slides over the cam surface 92. depressing the locking member 93 against the bias of the spring 97 into the recess provided in the hub of thebracket 23b. and permitting the slide to pass over the upper surface of the locking member. This disengages the cross arm 94 and the plates 58 and 59, allowing the upper advancing corners 99 and Hill of the slide 56 to slide beneath the plates 58 and 59 and swing them out of folded position about the axes of their hinges, against the bias of the springs associated therewith. The slide by c moved to the left-untillitcontacts the stops :llll and :92 riveted to the plates fitand t9, and:

supported by the slide 68, each having one edge closely adjacent the cutting plane oi the machine: to support the commodity along said plane (see- Figs. XVI and XVIII) During these operations the carriage 55b should be pulled back toward the operator as farv as it will go and the plate should be in open position to provide clearior the movement of theplates Eli and To return the commodity tray [6b to the position for severing slices perpendicular to the axis of the commodity, it is necessary to repeat the above operations in the reverse order. By means of the knob 6 t the slide 65 is withdrawn from beneath the plat-es 58 and 59, which by reason of the spring-actuated hinges c and El automati -:cally fold back against the side members of the tray ifib to which they are hinged. Further move- :ment of the slide 55 releasesthe locking member which under the bias of the spring 9'? moves "up into holding engagement with the lower edges the plates 58 and 59. The commodity tray may then-be rotated about the axis of the pintle its inclined position, coming to a stop when the shouldered portion of the screw "F, mounted on the lower end of the supporting lever ll, snap: into locking position in the offset 95 at the upper end of the slot lfi'of the guide bracket '19.

To prevent the operator from inadvertently movi g the commodity tray from its horizontal nosltion to its inclined position before the plates 58 and 58 have been folded back against the tray, and thus damaging the plates or the knife, and to prevent plates from being forced out into contact with the knife when the tray is in its inclined position, an interlock is provided. This interlock comprises a slot Hi5 milled into the eriphery of the boss H36 of the arm 63 (see Figs. XX). adapted to receive the cross arm ad of the lock ng member 93., which looks the bracket 2.7!?) and the carriage l5?) against relative movement until the slide 65 has released the lockin: member 93 after the plates have been folded.

by permitting the cross arm 94 to rise out f the slot its. When the tray ifib is in an inclined position. the cross arm 94 is a ainst the neri hery of the boss ice (see Figs. XXIII and XXIV), and thus prevents the depression oi'the ocking member by the s ide 63, in addition to ho ding he lates 58 and 59 in fo ded posit on.

The embodiments of the invent on herein disclosed may be modified to meet various requirements.

Having described my invention, I claim:

In slicin machine having a circular rotary knife, commodity holder mounted for recipronation relative to the knife in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the knife edge, the commodity-holding portion of said commodity holder consisting of a trough in which a, comis movable in a direction transverse to the plane of the knife edge, one end of the commodity-supporting portion of the trough being u off substantially along a plane transverse to he trough, a the other end of the commoditysupporting portion of the trough being cut off substantially along a plane at a substantial angle 'to'Ttlre last mentioned plane, and means for selectively fixing the trough in reversed positions with either of itsendss'ubstantially in the plane of the limits edge andavith its axisintersecting the plane iii th knife edge in the same general vertical plane.

2. In a slicing machine having a circular rotary knife, a commodity holder mounted for reciprocation relative to the knife in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the knife edge, the commodity-holding portion of said "coni- !nodity holder consisting of a trough in which a (commodity is movable in a direction transverse to theip'lane of the knife edge, one end 'of the commodity-supporting portion of the trough being cut oil substantially along a plane transverse to tth'e trough, and the other end of the commodity- :supporting portion ofthe trough being cut oil esubstantially along a plane at a substantial angle do the last mentioned plane, and means for Electively fixing the trough in r ver edjbsitions with either end of the trough substantially in the plane of the knife edge.

3. In a slicing machine havirfga circular knife ro a a e On a nclined axisjia commodity holder :mounted for reciprocation relative to the knife in :a direction generally parallel to the plane of the Eknife edge, the commodity-holding portion of said commodity holder consisting of a, trough in which a commodity is movable in a direction transverse to theplane of the knife edge, one end of the commodity-supporting portion of the trough being cut ofi substantially along a plane transverse to the trough, and the other end of "the commodity-supporting portion of the trough "being cut oil substantially along a plane at sub. ;stantial angle to the last mentioned plane, and fa mounting for fixing the trough selectively in :3. normal position substantially perpendicula'r'to j'thep'lane of the knife edge and in aieversed position with the opposite end of the trough towan'd the knife, the trough in such reversed positiun being more nearly horizontal and being itrnnsverse to its normal plane of reciprocation :amd transverse to a vertical plane through the :axis of the knife, to permit a commodity to be sliced on an angle while it is held firmly seated in the troug'hby its own Weight.

4. In a sliding machine having a circular knife rotatable on an inclined axis, a commodity holder mounted forreciprocation relative to the knife in a direction -generally parallel to the plane of. the knifejedge, said commodity holder compris ing a V-"shaped trough above the plane of the knife "edge in which a commodity is movable in a direction transverse to the plane of the knife edge, one end of the commodity-supporting por-- tion of the trough being cut off substantially :along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the trough, a mounting for fixing the trough selectively in a normal position with each of the sides of the trough at a substantial angle to the vertical and with said end of the trough substantially in the plane of the knife edge, and in lower and more nearly horizontal position transverse to its normal plane of reciprocation, to permit a commodity to be sliced on an angle While it is held firmly seated in the trough by its own weight, and commodity-supporting means adapt ed to form a continuation of a wall of the trough in the latter position substantially in the plane a the Wall of the trough to the plane of the knife c ge.

' GEORGER WQQD. 

